Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-03-09
CITY COUNCIL.
goARD OF ALDERMEN

on several matters WHICH oau peeu releIreu
10 them at previous meetings.
The report of that Committee on the 1880.
,u;ion iuquirng into the cost of repavng
both sides Of Washington street from the
roilon Factory TO Franklin street and park.
iag tbs centre occasioned some debate. The
e5nmittee in their report state that the
cost of carrying out such plan would be
about Sill 900, two-thi:ds OF which would
come out Of The property owners.
The President, Mr.. Downham, suggested
tnai the report ne received and published
for the information of the citizens generally,
ard Nr. Strauss made motion to that ef
isct.
Mr.. Saith spoke in favor of the proposed
Improvement, and gave his reasons for think
inc the plan mentioned in the resolution
feasible. He bad noticed and remarked on
me beauty of thoroughfares in certain
Saufie:n cities, which had been improved
b, such paving and parkios. He supposed
me work could be done Tor about 81 per
.uuare yard. The street could be lowered,
the present cobbie stones made to form the
foundation, the suriaca strewn with cubes
Of granite and by running steam roller over
the same he mass could be pulverizsd and
the street converted into a beautiful tho
roughiare.
Mr.. Bryant spoke in favor OF the
report of the committee. There were but
four squares on the street which were paved
with cobblsstones and should Council de.
ter1nine to enter into such stupendous
work aud expect property owners to pay
one third the cost the collection of the same
would amount 10 virtual conliscation of the
real estate on that street.
Mr.. Smith said be did not propose muict-
ing people into any outlay that they were
not willing 10 acquiesce in. But should
people owning property on Washington street
desire such Improvement he woui:' vote in
favor o. the city paying its Que third OF the
cost de had in no way iutimated that he
would pecipilate people into any
-ueh outlay without their consent. He
again explained the practicability Of the
scheme, and gave reasons why Alexandria
should proceed as soon as possible 10 i'm
prove her thoroughfare and make the city
AS attractive as possible to persons who may
desire to locate here. Many, for instance,
now living 10 Washington would, the
speaker said, before long be looking for
places of residence outside the national cap.
ital though contiguous thereto.
Alter further statements by Mr. Bryant,
10 which that gentleman reiterated the rea-
sons tho committee had in making its report,
Mr.. Strauss said he rather favored ina.
proving the streets, and was much impressed
with the remarks of the gentleman from the
Fourth ward Mr.. Smith. OF course the
cost would be great, and the only manner
in which the money could be raised would
be for the city to borrow $1,000 at four
per cent. interest. He recognized the fact
that in few years our population would
double itself if thu enterprises in contempla
ton were established here.
The motion to receive and print the re-
port was finally adopted after which
soma time was consumed in reoesses, when
the Aldermen were invited to the chamber of
the Common Council for the purpose of par.
ticipating in the election of Chief Eugl-
gineer of the Fire Department, and upon
their return the board concurred in some
bills, etc, from the Common Council.
The favorable report of the Finance Com.
mittee on the petition of W. 4. Smith, ad-
ministrator of Jerry Robb, deceased, was re-
ceyed from the Common Council and occa
stoned some debate.
Major DufIey, Commissioner of the Reve
nue., who was present in the chamber, by
permission, made statement, during which
he asserted that his assessment on the prop
erty of the deceased had been made on the
basis of Mr. Smiths sworn statement, and
now the Finance Committee could report
the taxation a. erroneous was something
extraordinary TO him.
The action OF the lower board was con.
cured in but
Mr.. LeadOeater arose and said the report
had been based upon satisfactory evidence
laid before the committee that the assess.
ment Was excessive, though in order to har-
monte matters be moved that the Aldermen
non concur in the action of the Common
Council, which motion was agreed to.
The lower board adhered to its former
action and asked committee of conference
and -Iessis. Leadbeater and Strauss were
appointed on the part of the Aldermen.
They soon made their report, which was to
the effect that the matter be recommitted to
the Finance Committee, and that the Com.
mississoner of the Revenue and Mr.. Smith
be requested TO be present and make their
respective statements.
The report was adopted and the board, at
about tea O'Clock, adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
There WAS large attendance at the City
Council last night.
The earlier business was transacted with
out debate.
When the bill increasing the salary of the
Superintendent of Gas from $500 to S720 was
introduced,
Mr. Sweeney ask if this bill was the same
which passed the Board of Alderman.
The clerk said that this was new bill
introduced some three weeks ago.
The bill. passed unanimously.
A communication from the Mayor was
read, in which he announced the suspension
OF policeman John Lawler for one month,
and the appointment of readyman Geo: A.
Ogden to temporarily fill the place of officer
Horseman deceased. He add: IAN appeal
has boon made to me by some ladies' who
are devoted 10 doing deeds of charity and
Christian work, for some help towards sup
porting thirteen Asxandria orphans that
are now in al orphan asylum in Washing
ton, D. c. They therefore request of the
City Council an appropriation of $50 to-
wares he suppnrt and maintenance of the
AL, yau1ria prnhups The Wa ,hInprOn